How to Determine iPod Generation

This wikiHow teaches you how to determine the generation of your iPod. The easiest way to tell the difference is to compare your iPod with another model listed on the Apple website, but you can also use your iPod’s model number to determine the generation.

Table of Contents

By Apple website

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Open Apple’s “Identify your iPod model” page. Go to https://support.apple.com/en-us/ht204217 using a web browser on your computer. On this website, Apple lists all the different iPod models.

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Select model. Click the iPod option that correlates with your model at the top of the page. The most recent generation of the selected iPod will appear.

If you’re not sure which iPod model you have, scroll down until you see a similar iPod.

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Find the iPod model. Scroll through different generations of iPod until you find a model that matches yours.

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Compare the model on the website with the iPod. Below the model’s generation heading is a list of iPod features. If the features on the page are similar to the current iPod, this is the model to look for.

If the features listed below current generation don’t match your iPod, scroll down to another model and compare again.

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Look up iPod by model number. If you can’t determine the generation of your iPod from the description on the page, or just want to determine your model, please:

Find your iPod’s model number (5-character code next to “Model” on the back of iPod).
Press Ctrl + F (Windows) or ⌘ Command + F (Mac) to open the “Find” window on the Apple website.
Enter the iPod model number.
Look for the generation title above the number.

iPod Touch

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Distinguish iPod Touch. The iPod Touch looks like an iPhone and is the only iPod model with a full-size touchscreen.

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Check the model number. Usually, you can easily find the iPod Touch model number in the small print on the bottom edge, on the back of the device. ^{[1] X Research Source}

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Compare this model number with other generations. The iPod Touch model number identifies the product generation:

A1574 — 6th generation (2015 and later)
A1509 or A1421 — 5th generation (2012 – 2014)
A1367 — fourth generation (2010 – 2012)
A1318 — 3rd generation (2009)
A1288 or A1319 (China only) — 2nd generation (2008)
A1213 — first generation (2007 – 2008)

iPod Nano

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Observe the outside appearance. iPod Nano has 5 different models, through this factor you can quickly determine the age of the iPod.

Rectangle with touch screen — 7th generation (2012 – 2015)
Square with touch screen — 6th generation (2010)
Rectangle with control wheel (called “click wheel”) — fourth and fifth generations (2008 – 2009)
Widescreen with click wheel — 3rd generation (2007)
Small screen and click wheel — first and second generation (2005 – 2006)

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Check the model number. The iPod Nano’s model number is located on the back of the device, near the bottom edge.

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Compare model numbers for generations below. The following model numbers correspond to generations:

A1446 — 7th generation
A1366 — 6th generation
A1320 — 5th generation
A1285 — fourth generation
A1236 (serial number concurrently ending with YOP, YOR, YXR, YXT, YXV or YXX) — 3rd generation
A1199 — 2nd generation
A1137 — first generation

iPod Shuffle

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Look at the outside appearance. The iPod Shuffle is very small and has no screen. There are different designs between generations of iPod shuffle.

Square with control circle — fourth generation (2010 – 2015)
Rectangle with controls along the top edge — 3rd generation (2009)
Rectangle with control circle — 2nd generation (2006 – 2008)
Narrow rectangle with small control circle (white only) — first generation (2005)

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Check the model number. iPod Shuffle model number printed in small print: ^{[2] X Research Source}

A1373 — fourth generation (model number is printed on the clip and towards the back of the machine).
A1271 — 3rd generation (model number is printed on the bottom rear edge of the machine, below the clip).
A1204 — 2nd generation (model number printed on the edge and covered by the clamp).
A1112 — first generation (model number printed on the bottom edge of the back of the iPod).

iPod Classic

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Distinguish “Classic” iPod. The iPod Classic is a series of early iPod models and is not numbered by generation. The Classic line includes the original iPod (2001) all the way to the iPod Mini.

If your iPod is rectangular, doesn’t have a touch screen, and is pretty big, it’s probably an iPod Classic.

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Check the screen. The easiest way to know the iPod model is to check the screen.

Multi-screen display: iPod fourth generation (2005) and later.
Mono screen: iPod fourth generation or earlier (note that iPod fourth generation comes in two models, monochrome and color). The monochrome fourth-generation iPod has an array of four controls located below the screen.

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Consider the console. The iPod Classic line has gone through many different console versions. This factor will help you determine the machine generation.

All iPod Classic fourth generation and later use the control wheel interface. This is a circular touchpad that you can tap to select.
The 3rd generation has a control wheel and a bottom charging station connector. iPod 3rd generation also has 4 control buttons located below the screen.
iPod 2nd generation has a touch wheel, outside are buttons located along the wheel.
The first-generation iPod had a scroll wheel that physically rotated when you moved your finger to navigate.

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Look at the colors. Color can help you distinguish between generations to come.

iPod 6th generation (iPod classic model # GB) is available in silver or black and is coated with anodized aluminum.
The 5th generation iPod (video iPod) is available in black or white and has a glossy finish.
The fourth generation iPod (color screen iPod) is white and has a glossy finish.

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Find the model number. If the generations cannot be distinguished by external characteristics, you can check the model number to determine the model:

A1051 — iPod Mini. If the text on the play button (for example, “MENU”) matches the color of the iPod case, this is a 2nd generation iPod Mini; otherwise this is the first generation.
A1238 — iPod Classic. Model released in 2009 has a capacity of 160 GB; 2008 is 120 GB and 2007 is 80 or 160 GB, the machine’s serial number also ends with Y5N, YMU, YMV or YMX.
A1238 — iPod video player (5th generation). This model has the same model number as the iPod Classic line. The serial number of the 5th generation iPod ends with V9K, V9P, V9M, V9R, V9L, V9N, V9Q, V9S, WU9, WUA, WUB, WUC, or X3N.
- If the serial number ends with W9G then this is a limited edition U2 Special Edition.
A1099 — iPod color display (fourth generation)
A1059 — 4th generation monochrome display
A1040 — iPod 3rd generation
A1019 — iPod 2nd generation
M8541 — iPod first generation

Steps

By Apple website

iPod Touch

iPod Nano

iPod Shuffle

iPod Classic

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